Back To School -- Parents' Perspective

As young learners begin another academic year, it’s often a time of mixed emotions for parents. We asked some of our staff parents here at TJM what sending their kids back to school means to them. Here’s what they said:

Matt Maio:

The first day of school approaching makes me think of the dreaded car line. It’s always horrible the first week or two before everyone figures out where they should be going. After that it’s pretty much smooth sailing.

Kristen McKenney

This year is a little bittersweet for me. My youngest is starting Kindergarten, and my oldest is starting middle school, and they were both a little anxious. The middle child is starting first grade, and in typical middle child fashion, was totally cool with it all. I got to walk my younger two to their classrooms, which is really sweet and I look forward to it every year. I know they will have a great year there.

I was a little nervous for my daughter as I dropped her off at her new school, because does anyone have fond memories of the middle school years? Despite all the anxiety, I know she's much more prepared for this than I ever was. I know there will be challenges, but I'm confident she will thrive.

Shannon Moore:

Back to school is still a relatively new thing for us. Jameson started school right before the pandemic, so we started homeschooling and haven't returned to regular school yet. He is starting third grade this year, and we're starting to get more creative on how to increase his social exposure while enriching his regular classes.

We just found a homeschool group, which has opened their first standalone location, called Grateful Hearts. This has some in-person class opportunities, field trip opportunities, and some great resources that parents can take advantage of navigating the waters of homeschooling. 

I like to follow the typical "first day of school" picture that has their grade and favorite things. Other than that, we don't really do too much. 

Matt Fischer:

My child is in daycare and that operates year round. So for me, the looming back to school date just means my commute to daycare and then the office is going to get a lot worse. The only upside to back to school is that some activities and venues will be a little less crowded on the weekend, as people slip back into the school mindset and the summer crowds dwindle.